Questions from someone who hasn't cruised in 5 yrs.

[Kverlinger]

The last time I've cruise was 5 years ago. With carnival, 7 years ago...I haven't been active with these boards either, so if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions... ;)

 

1. Any big changes I should know about? I read that there is no longer a band playing at the pool (thats kind of disappointing)...any other cut backs?

 

2. I read on the RC boards that drink prices have gone way up. Is it the same with carnival? I don't drink a lot but enjoy a fruity drink every once in a while. I thought they were like 7ish dollars last time I cruised. Could be wrong.

 

3. Never cruised with kids but this time we are....What will our inside guarantee room look like? Two uppers, two lowers?

 

4. Please tell me there is still lobster. lol. My husband may not go, if not. Also, can my kids order the lobster or do they have to get kids meal items??

 

I can't think of anymore questions at this time. We are sailing in June on Conquest (8day) with our kids. Hoping for a relaxing vacation. Thanks for your time...

[cruiser fanatic]

The last time I've cruise was 5 years ago. With carnival, 7 years ago...I haven't been active with these boards either, so if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions... ;)

 

1. Any big changes I should know about? I read that there is no longer a band playing at the pool (thats kind of disappointing)...any other cut backs?

 

2. I read on the RC boards that drink prices have gone way up. Is it the same with carnival? I don't drink a lot but enjoy a fruity drink every once in a while. I thought they were like 7ish dollars last time I cruised. Could be wrong.

 

3. Never cruised with kids but this time we are....What will our inside guarantee room look like? Two uppers, two lowers?

 

4. Please tell me there is still lobster. lol. My husband may not go, if not. Also, can my kids order the lobster or do they have to get kids meal items??

 

I can't think of anymore questions at this time. We are sailing in June on Conquest (8day) with our kids. Hoping for a relaxing vacation. Thanks for your time...

 

1- No major cutbacks that I have noticed.

2- Prices are around 7 to 9 dollars for a drink.

3. You never know about a guarantee room.

4- Yes there is still lobster on elegant night. Your kids can order from whatever menu they like. They can order some from the kids menu and some from the other menu.

 

Have fun! The Conquest is a great ship!

[springs741]

The last time I've cruise was 5 years ago. With carnival, 7 years ago...I haven't been active with these boards either, so if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions... ;)

 

1. Any big changes I should know about? I read that there is no longer a band playing at the pool (thats kind of disappointing)...any other cut backs?

Bands are gone. Lunch has been replaced with Brunch on Sea Days and no lunch on port days in MDR. Chocolate at night time turn down are gone as are the goodie baskets in the bathroom.

 

2. I read on the RC boards that drink prices have gone way up. Is it the same with carnival? I don't drink a lot but enjoy a fruity drink every once in a while. I thought they were like 7ish dollars last time I cruised. Could be wrong. Drinks like Chocolate Mocha Getaway are in that $9 range with the tip. Soft drinks are $1.95 plus 15% per can. There is a "cheers program" that is $49.95 per day and must be purchased by all in the stateroom over 21 for the entire cruise. This allow 15 drinks per day.

 

3. Never cruised with kids but this time we are....What will our inside guarantee room look like? Two uppers, two lowers?I think with an inside guarantee you would be looking at two lowers and two upper. Since there would not be room for much else.

 

4. Please tell me there is still lobster. lol. My husband may not go, if not. Also, can my kids order the lobster or do they have to get kids meal items?? Lobster is available on Cruise Elegant night. Usually the first sea day. IT is not a dressy as it once was. Last cruise I saw only one tux and a handful for suits. Mostly men in dress shirts with dress pant and ties. Most women wore LBD, dressy tops or maxi dresses. The kids may order from whichever menu they would like. Also you can order from the kids menu. They have a really nice brownie and a banana split that is so yummy

 

I can't think of anymore questions at this time. We are sailing in June on Conquest (8day) with our kids. Hoping for a relaxing vacation. Thanks for your time...

 

We are happy to help. Keep asking the questions

[we3travelers]

It's been about 8 years since I last cruised. These were great questions and definitely helped me too. Thanks for posting them here. We will be on the Conquest in June, also. Traveling with our 8 year old grandson (his first cruise and my first with a child).

 

I'm really bummed that the pool side bands are gone. On Celebrity, I always enjoyed the steel drum bands.

[Kverlinger]

Thank you. You guys answered my questions perfectly!

[Velvetwater]

I want to add that the gift baskets in the bathroom depend on the sailing. We have cruised and always had our basket full and we were in a 4K interior both times as well.

 

Also, you may want to check out the newish Faster to the Fun option to get on board early as its only $50 per cabin and also the people tell me the pens have changed.

[fmigali]

To the person who stated there is no chocolate or turn down service is the evening, that is inaccurate. They still provide turn down service and chocolate on the pillows. This is one of the biggest rumors on these boards that is not accurate.

[Yvonne]

To the person who stated there is no chocolate or turn down service is the evening, that is inaccurate. They still provide turn down service and chocolate on the pillows. This is one of the biggest rumors on these boards that is not accurate.

 

We still had the chocolates on our Paradise cruise last month.

 

The biggest "cut backs" we've noticed are the shows on the larger ships. They have fewer dancers, no band and video "backdrops". I think they call these Playlist Production shows. We don't like them. On the Paradise last month we had the "old style" shows with more dancers, a live band, and real props. Loved them!!

 

No bands by the pool. Really miss the steel drum bands. :(

 

No free alcoholic drink for returning cruises, just bottles of water in the rooms.

 

There are fewer waiters in the dining rooms so they have more tables to take care of, so sometimes service can be slower.

 

Drinks have gotten more expensive. My Kiss on the Lips were $9.70 each with the 15% tip included.

 

It seems like they have more "audience participation" entertainment in the lounges, and that way it saves the cruiseline spending money on more entertainment.

 

Our last two Carnival cruises the little "goodie basket" has been on the counter in the bathroom but no samples/freebies. This last cruise it had 2 little bars of soap and a facecloth in it. :(

 

It seems like the bars are not well utilized anymore. Most evenings they were empty, no bands, no entertainment at all. They have someone playing guitar/piano in the atrium occasionally, a band by the casino and the piano player in the piano bar. Lots of karaoke though. :(

 

We still enjoyed our cruises, they're just "different" than what they used to be.

 

Love the Anytime Dining, comedians, serenity area, food choices, trivia, etc.

Edited March 22, 2015 by Yvonne

[momonthego17]

Our cruise on the Breeze last Thanksgiving had an addition to the MDR dinner menu. For an additional $20, you can order Steakhouse entrees, like filet mignon and lobster. We didn't do this but I have heard that it's delicious and a nice option to have in the MDR.

 

Also, your children might enjoy Towel Animal Puppet Theatre. Check your Fun Times for day and time (usually mid afternoon, I think). Before the show in the main theatre, they instruct the kids on how to create a towel animal. The show was cute and my DDs had a great time.

 

Have a great cruise!

Edited March 22, 2015 by momonthego17

[Kverlinger]

Our cruise on the Breeze last Thanksgiving had an addition to the MDR dinner menu. For an additional $20, you can order Steakhouse entrees, like filet mignon and lobster. We didn't do this but I have heard that it's delicious and a nice option to have in the MDR.

 

Also, your children might enjoy Towel Animal Puppet Theatre. Check your Fun Times for day and time (usually mid afternoon, I think). Before the show in the main theatre, they instruct the kids on how to create a towel animal. The show was cute and my DDs had a great time.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

 

That sounds fun. Thanks

[cruiser fanatic]

To the person who stated there is no chocolate or turn down service is the evening, that is inaccurate. They still provide turn down service and chocolate on the pillows. This is one of the biggest rumors on these boards that is not accurate.

 

You are incorrect. They did away with the chocolates. I didn't have them on my last cruise (2 weeks ago) and John Heald confirmed it.

 

John Heald

 

We have stopped the chocolates fleet wide. We conducted several trials to determine if the chocolates left by the stateroom stewards was a treat our guests appreciated. The results indicated they have been rarely missed by our customers. Therefore, we will no longer distribute them allowing us to invest our money in amenities, products, or services that matter most to our guests. Thanks and I am here if you have any other questions.

[Kverlinger]

I want to add that the gift baskets in the bathroom depend on the sailing. We have cruised and always had our basket full and we were in a 4K interior both times as well.

 

Also, you may want to check out the newish Faster to the Fun option to get on board early as its only $50 per cabin and also the people tell me the pens have changed.

 

Thanks. I def didn't know about the Faster to Fun option. I just looked it up I read that you can get tendered faster, as well?!...How do I know if any of my ports are tender ports?

 

St.Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan PR, and Grand Turks

[fmigali]

You are incorrect. They did away with the chocolates. I didn't have them on my last cruise (2 weeks ago) and John Heald confirmed it.

 

John Heald

 

We have stopped the chocolates fleet wide. We conducted several trials to determine if the chocolates left by the stateroom stewards was a treat our guests appreciated. The results indicated they have been rarely missed by our customers. Therefore, we will no longer distribute them allowing us to invest our money in amenities, products, or services that matter most to our guests. Thanks and I am here if you have any other questions.

 

Again, this is not accurate. John Heald posts on his Facebook page regularly(almost once a week) that this is not true. This rumor has been spread on Cruise Critic for years! And as the other people have stated above, they have had the chocolates on their pillows recently.

[springs741]

To the person who stated there is no chocolate or turn down service is the evening, that is inaccurate. They still provide turn down service and chocolate on the pillows. This is one of the biggest rumors on these boards that is not accurate.

 

Actually I said there is no chocolate AT nightly turn down.

 

Nightly turn down service remains. As for the chocolates ships, will continue as long their supplies last. I looked on John Healds FB page but just didn't have the time to go through pages and pages to find the quote.

[cruiser fanatic]

Again, this is not accurate. John Heald posts on his Facebook page regularly(almost once a week) that this is not true. This rumor has been spread on Cruise Critic for years! And as the other people have stated above, they have had the chocolates on their pillows recently.

 

It is VERY accurate he just posted it a few weeks ago. I am not going to go back and forth about it. I have attached a snip from a post he answered to someone about it.

[fmigali]

I stand corrected and apologize. I must have missed this because I follow John very closely on Facebook and apparently missed this one. As long as the turn down service remains in tact, I am good. However, his comment about using the money for other amenities, seems strange to me. How much can a piece of chocolate actually cost, particularly at the quantities they use them? :-p

[springs741]

It is VERY accurate he just posted it a few weeks ago. I am not going to go back and forth about it. I have attached a snip from a post he answered to someone about it.

 

 

 

thank you so much. I have saved your photo. I promise you the subject will come up again in a week or two.

[cruiser fanatic]

I stand corrected and apologize. I must have missed this because I follow John very closely on Facebook and apparently missed this one. As long as the turn down service remains in tact, I am good. However, his comment about using the money for other amenities, seems strange to me. How much can a piece of chocolate actually cost, particularly at the quantities they use them? :-p

 

No problem! I don't see the turn down service going away anytime soon. The chocolates going away is a disappointment and a cutback. I doubt the chocolates were that much money. I guess I will just bring my own to eat before bed :).

[Velvetwater]

Thanks. I def didn't know about the Faster to Fun option. I just looked it up I read that you can get tendered faster, as well?!...How do I know if any of my ports are tender ports?

 

St.Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan PR, and Grand Turks

 

Yes you can get priority tendering. I have never cruised to those ports so do not know if they are tendered.

 

You also get priority at guest services and for costed restaurants and can get zone 1 luggage tags depending on how many diamonds etc there is.

 

My favourite part about it though is having your luggage early...usually a few hours before sail away.

[dave_k58]

The last time I've cruise was 5 years ago. With carnival, 7 years ago...I haven't been active with these boards either, so if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions... ;)

 

1. Any big changes I should know about? I read that there is no longer a band playing at the pool (thats kind of disappointing)...any other cut backs?

 

2. I read on the RC boards that drink prices have gone way up. Is it the same with carnival? I don't drink a lot but enjoy a fruity drink every once in a while. I thought they were like 7ish dollars last time I cruised. Could be wrong.

 

3. Never cruised with kids but this time we are....What will our inside guarantee room look like? Two uppers, two lowers?

 

4. Please tell me there is still lobster. lol. My husband may not go, if not. Also, can my kids order the lobster or do they have to get kids meal items??

 

I can't think of anymore questions at this time. We are sailing in June on Conquest (8day) with our kids. Hoping for a relaxing vacation. Thanks for your time...

 

Tell hubby he can also order the whole Maine Lobster ( advertised at 1.5 pounds in the steakhouse) in the MDR for $20.

[Darcy8]

We just got off the Conquest on March 1. We were still receiving chocolates at that time.

 

The ports you listed are not tendering ports.

[Chesship]

We are booked on Sunshine leaving Port Canaverel on 4th April . As we are coming over from UK I am worried about the luggage situation. The elegant nights sound fun but does my other half need to bring a dinner suit?

We are very much looking forward to it but worried about some of the reviews. Hope we get a sunbed too it's so cold and miserable here in London can't wait to see the sun. Looking forward to meeting new people.

[Velvetwater]

We are booked on Sunshine leaving Port Canaverel on 4th April . As we are coming over from UK I am worried about the luggage situation. The elegant nights sound fun but does my other half need to bring a dinner suit?

We are very much looking forward to it but worried about some of the reviews. Hope we get a sunbed too it's so cold and miserable here in London can't wait to see the sun. Looking forward to meeting new people.

 

Lots of people on our cruise were just in smart trousers and a shirt/tie on elegant night.

 

As fellow UK residents and Carnival lovers I am sure you will love it....just go with the flow and do what you want to do. We always got a sunbed (even on serenity adults area) if we were floating about before 8ish.

 

We both had bags under the size limit and had plenty of room for our 13 day cruise and 3 days beforehand.

[LizzieTrowbridge]

Tell hubby he can also order the whole Maine Lobster ( advertised at 1.5 pounds in the steakhouse) in the MDR for $20.

 

Or if you don't want to spend the $$, he can just ask for a second lobster tail from the regular menu- the waiters will give you as many entrees as you want!

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Or if you don't want to spend the $$, he can just ask for a second lobster tail from the regular menu- the waiters will give you as many entrees as you want!

 

The "free" lobster tail is only offered on one elegant night (usually the first). If they offer the paid entrees or you go to the paid steakhouse you can order it...only one per customer, though.